Whitney Houston | I Look To You

Whitney Houston – I Look To You

From a rousing charity concert in London England in 2008 to over a year later with a less than inspiring appearance in Central Park in New York, Whitney Houston has heard her fair share of doubters and encouragers as she is trying to re-establish her full-time career. When I first heard the word Whitney Houston was returning to the studio after a lengthy hiatus and a new lease on life from her personal demons, I was patiently playing the waiting game for nearly two years to hear how Houston’s voice held up on the other side. While I was patiently anticipating receiving her new disc I Look To You; at least a year’s worth of anticipation; I read several of the media’s viewpoints on this Sony BMG disc. In earnest, many of those viewpoints were pretty harsh on how Houston’s vocal characteristics do not compare to her glory days starting with her first major hit “You Gave Good Love” to her signature “I Will Always Love You” from the movie The Bodyguard. Without documenting Whitney’s obviously troubled past which is simply history no matter what the current outcome, it is probably wise to just state the facts of what is happening in her present musical endeavors.

Taking everything into account I read from the printed media and after thoroughly listening to I Look To You on two or more passes, I have concluded my findings with a mixed reaction. First of all, there are still some redeeming qualities regarding Whitney’s vocal qualities. What strikes me the most on I Look To You is her soulful demeanor and her phrasing that pleasantly accents the song lyrics; two strengths that linger for me back to her earlier spine-tinkling vocal work as a much heralded R&B/pop superstar. In shear honesty and with sadness in my heart, I also have to mention there is now something critically missing from her arsenal. The durability in her once powerful soprano voice has substantially diminished, which was the overall selling point behind her greatest hits. In a sense, this scenario reminds me of the famous line from the children’s story, The Little Engine That Could: “I think I can, I think I can.” At times when she is closing in on her vocal peak, she frequently lacks that finish line determination.

That aside, Whitney does hit her stride in during at least half of the tracks on I Look To You. The first single -“Million Dollar Bill” – is a stylish funky dance track co-written by Alicia Keys where Whitney feels musically at home. “Nothin’ But Love” is a personal song of victory towards those who doubted her fight to regain her self-esteem. The Diane Warren penned “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” might as well be authored by Whitney as this ballad chronicles her climb back to more positive territory: “I didn’t know my own strength and I crashed out, and I tumbled but I did not crumble.” Another song from the great American songbook – Leon Russell’s composition “A Song For You” – takes flight where Whitney asserts her vocal confidence when the orchestrations shift from an ordinary piano ballad to uplifting trance-like beats. “Worth It,” the modern R&B flavored slow jam that that resembles a Ne-Yo or Mary J. Blige power ballad, is a nice musical fit for Whitney’s obstinate vocal approach.

Now that “I Look To You” has had its fair share of praise and scorn from the general public, it is now time to play the waiting game again to see how far Whitney chooses to go in her pursuit back to her first true love. Meanwhile, “I Look To You” is a respectable yet mildly recommended return to the recording studio.

Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene